Hammett, a former Crusaders assistant coach, has experienced an up-and-down relationship with fans in the capital during his tenure, which is currently in its fourth season.
After clearing the decks at the end of the 2011 campaign, when a plethora of senior players, including Andrew Hore and Ma'a Nonu, were either cut loose or decided to pull the pin, the public have never completely warmed to the former All Black hooker.
There were signs things were on the right track in 2012 when Hammett got a young Hurricanes team firing and he was given a two-year contract extension but last season was a disappointment as they again missed the playoffs.
Questions around his future began surfacing as the Hurricanes dropped their first three games of this season and Hammett has been under constant pressure in 2014.
The Hurricanes released a statement this morning, which confirmed Hammett's impending departure and he said he told the club before the beginning of the season that 2014 would be his last.
"This is a decision I have made after much discussion with my family. It has not been an easy decision, but we feel the time is right for me to step aside after this season,'' Hammett said.
"For now, my sole focus is on the Hurricanes and continuing the job at hand. I'm really proud of the contribution I have made to this team and the players over the past three seasons, and I will continue to remain dedicated and focused on achieving what we've set out to do this year.''
In a case of convenient timing, Counties Manukau also issued a press release today that announced coach Tana Umaga would stay on with the ITM Cup side until 2016.
Umaga had recently been touted as a potential candidate to coach the Hurricanes but that theory is now dead in the water.
The Hurricanes are on the bye this week but have looked an improved outfit in the past two games with victories over the Crusaders and Bulls and are in eighth place on the Super Rugby ladder.
Despite all the negative press surrounding the team when they made a poor start to this year, the players have steadfastly insisted they backed Hammett and his coaching staff.
Hurricanes chairman Brian Roche said a recruitment process, in conjunction with New Zealand Rugby, would begin in the near future.
"While we will need to explore our future coaching options soon, we remain fully supportive of Mark and the team in keeping our sights on the 2014 priority to continue to lift performance,'' Roche said.
"Everyone wants the Hurricanes to deliver performances we can all be proud of, and that's where the focus lies.''
